Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread men are a classic go-to during the holidays. Turn this recipe into a family affair by involving the kids in rolling out the dough, cutting the shapes and decorating with whatever candy, sprinkles or icing you have on hand.

Total Time: 1:15

Prep: 0:30

Level:
Easy

Serves:
32

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Ingredients

Gingerbread Men Mix

2½ c. all-purpose flour

½ c. packed dark brown sugar

½ c. granulated sugar

2½ tsp. ground ginger

1½ tsp. ground cinnamon

1¼ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

¼ tsp. ground cloves

¼ tsp. Kosher salt

Cookies

½ c. cold unsalted butter

1 large egg

¼ c. molasses

1¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract

Directions

In a food processor, pulse the gingerbread mix, butter, egg, molasses and vanilla until a smooth dough forms. Divide dough into quarters and flatten each into a 1-in.-thick disk.

Place one portion of dough between 2 sheets of wax paper; roll to 1⁄8 in. thick. Repeat with remaining dough. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 350°F. Working with one sheet of dough at a time, flour a 3 1⁄2-in. gingerbread man cutter and cut out cookies. Using a cookie spatula, transfer to cookie sheets. Gather and reroll dough scraps, refrigerating if necessary before cutting.

Bake until the cookies are set and the edges are beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on the sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Techniques

Gingerbread men mix also makes a great gift! Simply whisk the mix ingredients in a large bowl and spoon the mixture into a 1-qt resealable plastic bag. Wrap as you wish and be sure to include the recipe instructions. Place plastic bag and folded instructions in a brown paper lunchbag, fold over the top and tape. Using scallop scissors ($3.99; ), cut a 4-in. circle from a piece of white construction paper and tape it to the front of the bag. Punch two holes at the top of the bag. Thread ribbon through a cookie cutter, feed ends of ribbon through holes and tie it in the back.